I’ll never forget the moment two students walked into my office for their usual morning check-in. One of them looked at me and said,“Come on, Dr. H — am I really gonna need to know how to use the periodic table to get a job?” Before I could answer, the other chimed in, chuckling,“Yeah, Miss… […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
A.I: Friend or Foe? Teacher’s Thinking Partner or Teacher’s Replacement?
With recent developments in technology, A.I. tools have emerged and firmly embedded themselves in the educational system. This evolution has sparked controversial debates: Will AI replace teachers? Will we lose our jobs? Will it enhance teaching and learning, or will students become overly dependent, leading to a decline in their critical and creative thinking skills? […]
Posted inTeacher Burnout
You Can’t Fill a Cup That’s Already Full: Why Emotion Comes Before Learning
Parents and educators alike often ask the same question: Why does it feel like so much classroom time is spent on behavior, emotions, and social skills instead of academics? The short answer is this: learning cannot happen until students are emotionally ready to learn. When Students Aren’t Ready to Learn When I was teaching in […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Using Soft Starts in the Music Classroom
I think we can all collectively agree that trying to teach to students still fixated about who won or lost (or cheated) in their most recent athletic endeavor in gym class is not only time-consuming, but also teeth-gritting and nerve-fraying. As an elementary music teacher, 50% of the students I teach each day are coming […]
Posted inElementary School
Steady Hands, Open Hearts: Helping Early Childhood Families Thrive Through Change
In early childhood education, we often talk about the importance of creating stable, nurturing environments for young children. But what about the families who entrust us with their most precious ones? How do we, as educators, support families through the inevitable transitions that life brings? These transitions—whether moving to a new home, adjusting to a […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Relax Teachers, You’ve Been Doing it All Along
Think back to your favorite teacher. I had two, Mrs. Swartz and Mr. Clevenger. One was my 1st grade teacher and the other, my 9th grade Social Studies teacher. They taught way back in the 1960’s and 70’s. As a student, I wasn’t able to label their teaching methods, but I did know they were […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
When Teaching Hurts: When Teaching Becomes Violent
Breaking the Silence I am an educator who became the victim of a student assault—an experience that changed my life and my career in ways I never expected. For years, I found it hard to talk about what happened. The trauma was too intense, and the memories too overwhelming. But now, after completing my Doctorate, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
It’s Writing Time: Helping young writers find their voice
Have you ever found yourself in the hallway discussing curriculum with your colleagues? All of a sudden, a casual stroll turns into a 20-minute conversation. As you finally make it back to your classroom, your to-do list grows as you think about all the changes you want to make. Many teachers want to ensure that […]